. >>> now to the vatican, where moments ago, pope benedict made history, delivering his weekly sunday prayers from the balcony for the last time before he retires this thursday. all this, as the vatican is fighting back against the swirl of scandal with the pope's spokesman making extraordinary accusations against the media. abc's david wright is in rome. >> reporter: this was the last time we will see him in the window for the pope's weekly appointment with the faithful. this time, next week, the papal apartment will be sealed for his successor. the elections, or at least the campaign, well under way. it's an election like no other, an absolute monarch, elected by princes who are appointed, the men in red, one of whom will end up wearing white. palace intrigue is part of the history going back 2,000 years. >> through the course of centuries, cardinals have to face many forms of pressure. >> reporter: now the vatican says that the media is trying to meddle. >> today, there is an attempt to do this through public opinion. >> reporter: salacious charges floated in the italian press, tha